Delta resumes service to Japan from MSP

For Roxi and Lynn Tienter of Preston in southeastern Minnesota, the resumption of Delta Air Lines service to Japan March 25 is welcome news following the route's three-year hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic.

They have three young granddaughters in Japan. While they've already visited twice since Japan lifted many of its travel restrictions last October, those visits required multiple stops. It's far easier to make the two-hour drive from Preston to MSP Airport to board the direct Delta flight.

The Tienters were among the many eager passengers queued up to board the Delta flight Monday, March 27, which the MAC and MSP community celebrated with balloons, a Japanese-inspired cherry blossom theme and remarks from MAC COO Roy Fuhrmann, MAC Chair Rick King and Delta Vice President Mary Loeffelholz.

The flight between MSP and Tokyo dates to 1947 with Northwest Airlines, which was acquired by Delta in 2008. Northwest was among the first U.S. airlines to offer service to Japan and other Asian destinations -- routes that were heavily promoted in its advertising literature.

It's one of the longest-served overseas destinations from MSP and follows the return of several other international destinations, including Delta's service to London in April 2022 and Seoul, South Korea, in October 2022.

"Its return fully restores service to Asia from MSP to pre-pandemic levels," said MAC Chair Rick King.

About 17,000 passengers fly from MSP to Tokyo every year, in addition to connecting passengers through MSP from across the Delta network.

In addition to leisure travelers like the Tienters, Japan is also an important destination for business travelers – for both Minnesota- and Japan-based companies.

Japan is Minnesota's fourth largest export market, dominated by agricultural exports (soybeans and corn) and medical products from companies like Medtronic. And there are also several Japanese businesses with Minnesota offices.

Daikin Industries, a global heating and air conditioning company employs hundreds of people at its U.S. headquarters in Faribault, Minn., and Sawaii Pharmaceutical Co. acquired Plymouth-based Upsher-Smith Laboratories' generic drug business several years ago.

"This route is very important for us," said Rio Saito, the executive director of the Japan America Society of Minnesota who attended the Monday gate event. "It's one of our lifelines."

Related information

MSP resumes time-honored nonstop flights to Tokyo – KARE 11, March 27, 2023

Delta Air Lines resumes service to Japan from MSP Airport – MAC news release, March 27, 2023